terest TO DATA appre
ortune to meel he Ant Slavery and religiou this was 30 in The blame auribut-
for years and years colonial officials to se merits or demerits on a par with those of that lemento rallied round David.
Every one fle! was er one that was in debt-every pue contanted!
THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.
or Cula; this year it is the turn of the British West must be added the corruptions peculiar to this period Indies. It is only by widening the fieldi we of railway speculation and reaction; to the customary draw our Burs that we can.
erage of political spite, the spate of disappointed avarice. The years, maka lie tedandancy of ore, country commain contest would be a decidedly party struggle, pensate the deficiency of another
but one peculiarly embarrassed by bitter feelings and Ve dwell upon t
these facts for the purpose of ugly aspects. The landlords would appear to the abowing the suger growers that they can no longer act of refusing a popular measure conceded by the Buch & Gover hepeto procrastinate the equalization of duty The Government by all the statesmen in the popular power of the country to consume, the desire of the branch of the Legislature who have taken a leading part in any Government--by every part of it except country to procure sugar, le increasing in a much
a minority composed of the landlords themselves more rapid ratio than their power of production. The approved fiscal doctrine that lower duties yield Their resistance, upon whatever pretext made, is vitiated by the fact that they avowedly anticipate from a greater aggregate revenue, does not hold when that vicious system of the field of supply is artificially limited. Misisters the change a loss of selfish and especially of pecu- catinot afford to throw away a million and a bali of niary advantages. A very nice sense of delicacy revenue, and nerber can they revert to the old high might have made them retire from the legislative duties. They have nothing for but to adoit all assembly while the other sections decided the ques- sugars at the same duty. The great body of the tion. True, they ang that the interests of tenant and peasant are bound up with theirs: but veral motives consuniers, and Ministers, if they have common sense in this matter,) must be banded against the so obviously and so largely distort their view, that sugar growers if they attempt to make a stand upon their discernment of the truth is as questionable es the protective system. And the com-growers at their honesty; and their rural dependents already A more punctilious sense of heurd of a Governor.
of who for nineleen
the best no very trustworthy allies of the West In. begin to suspect them. dians-when stripped of their own protective duties, honest, we repeat, might have made them tako a nctor Fulered a church except on one oc
more passive share in the contest: the fact they did twear in a Bishop. We know the in-will, like the fox that lost his tail in a trap, wish to
not do ao agravates the suspicious character of their ant influence the moral and religious exemplo reduce all the community to their own condition. the Cebun exercises on society in this country. They have, moreover, at this moment a special position; and even the countenance of mistaken ear- nestness will appear, to those whom they would flow much greator, then, in a small community of grudge against the West Indians for supporting Peel,
The resolutions of which Mr Hume has given persuado, like the crafty stage-play acting of hype rolobists, mast be the influence, for good or bad,
crisy. Their angenists will not fail to take advan 2030
corners, judges, and other high officials. We notice for Tuesday next, are on the whale well suit
tage of that condition: the agents in every section of sincerely trust that the day is arrived when this ed to meet the exigencies of the sugar-growers'
The West Indians are entitled to dentand, the Liberal party will improve it diligently; and pes important consideration exters largely into the case,
stion of selection for office in the colonies. Co-
should at the same time be relieved from all restric work fostering the revolt of tenantay and peasantry that if all protection is to be taken from them, they most especially the Anti-Corn-law League will be at Tonal Gazelle May 13.
tion. Their rum afght to be admitted into the against the landlords. You of the Protectionist party who may chance to read these words, know while Eited Kingkom at the same rates of duty ses home THE SUGAR-DUTIES.
made spirits; the use of sugar and molasses should you read that what we say is tree. To some extent, The chan of the corn growers being selled, or as
more or less, the attempt to excite that revolt would Food as settled, the case of the sugar-growers is next be perinitied in all manufactures in which they can on the roll. It can no longer be saved off. The bo employed; the importation of all commodities fail: but console not yourselves too hastily; pro Dost advantageous proportion of capital and labour direct from the country where they are produced cisely to the same extent would the contest be one should be concoded to the colonista Above all, between town and country-between the rude, raw, in our sugar growing colonies has not yet been en- tirely re-established; and the failure of the sugar every law and regulation that interferes with the feebly-organized rustic districts, and the compacted, Your sole di crop from dramght will, to all appearance, be enor- frondom of librar "ought to be repealed, and all inteligent, wealthy, excitable towns neus this year. These circumstances make appear practicable incommgement given to the immigaation version to counteract the civic influence would be extremely harsh to the West India Countries to press into these colonies of free labourers suited to the by fomenting a servile war-riots of Short-time fac for immediate equalization of the Sugar-duties. But late. Ouly no necessary amendant of My hands and other discontented portions of the it cannot be helped. The economical prests of Hume's resolutions occurs to as the beeription "classes dangereuses," againts the town employers; and your agents would foment such rioting. Is the whole empore the state of the Imperial revenu in regard to the removal of differential duties of a
forbid us to listen to any ples for further pro- definite fixed period for the vague phrase within a that issue nothing to be avoided? Would there be no relation in kind? Some over-modernte calcul time to be limited." Soy three years; or if the
pe
ators have assumed that political ingredients would There has been no material uriase of importa.culiar circumstances of the West Flies require
not enter into the turmoil: do not believe n-the tion under the new Sugar-duties. The aggregate more, eny five: tot let the chameteristic of the then-
dection would distinetly and avowedly be an elec- importation during the year 1945 was 5,820,600 sure for the abolition of differential sugar-duties be, hundredweight; in 1844, it was only 4,260,075 like that of the measure for the abolition of protection against Land Stanley and the House of Lords. hundredweight; tot in 1843, it was 5,024,569. Of tive coru dulies begun finality." the additional 1,000,000 or 800,000 hundredweight imperled, about 1860.000 hundredweight was Foreign Free-labour sugar the quantity of it in ported in 1845 was 168,607 hundredweight but in 1844, ra- her more than 7.000 hundredweight had been in troduced. The increase was mainly in British West Indin sugar, which rose from an average of 2,000.000 hundredweight (during four years) to 2,854,000 hundredweight, and on sugars of other British pos ressions, which rose from an average of a million to About 1,336.000 hundredweight. The increase of Consumption in 1845 equallid is amount and ex- reeded in ratio that of importation. The quantity of sugar retained for consumptron in 1844 was 4,856,604, the average quamily retained for con- sumption during the four preceding years was about four millions. The importation increased 500,000 hundredweight on five millions; the consumption a trife more pm four millions.
There are other facts which must be kept in view in connexion with this ratio of the increase of con- supplium to the increase of importation. For the last five years the quantity of West India sugar consumed has uniforinly exceeded the quantity im- ported; as will appear from this table.
Imported. Retained for Consumption. 1841....2,145,500 cwt.. 2.992,203 cwt. 1842....2,508,910.. 1843 2,503.357.. 1844.2452,778; -.. 18452,154,010..
0,932,886
.2,972,584
3,084,139 3,548,121
he holders of West India sugurs have for five years been reducing their stocks to meet the demand. The stocks are reduced, and this year's supply will be deficient. There is a diminisized supply to meet an increasing demand. The augmented domand has been the consequence of diminished price. For fire years the average price of sugar even in bond has been decreasing. British, which in 1841 was 39 8d per hundredweight, was 36 4d in 1842, 38s Da in 1849, 39 8d in 1844, and 32 4d in 1845. Brazilian, which in 1841 was 20s per hundred- weight, was 18s 30 in 1842.178 2d 18, 17% in 1844. In 1885 the duty of British augurs was re- duced from rather more than 14 58 per hundred- weight to 14s and 16s, according to quality. The increased consumption has been confined entirely 10 those sugars upon which there was a reduction of duty. These facts show that there is a intent power of sugar consumption in the country suppress ed by high price there is a greater permanent de mood for the commodity than can be supplied under
The most positions, and perhaps also the noisjest opposition to Mr Hume's resolutions, is likely to come from the Anti-Slavery party. To had party diffidence and silence would be most becoming. Their attempts to put an end to slavery by sup- pessing the maniacture of slaves have failed; let ustry the eflict suppressing the market for slaves. This can best be done by enabling the employers of free labour to rumputé surcessfully with the am- players of shave labour in the raising of Tropical produce. This with fair play, they do, and soon, with their superior advantages in other res pects, drive the products at sinvery from the gen- eral market, by made reelling them. Sprong May 23.
LTHEINEITGENERAL ELECTION.
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And-perilous novelty for the Tories-they would inces that election with Peel in Opposition.
sade is one upon which he has allowed timeli tu become entangled. There are others, commmeted with religious tolerance, education, qualification of voters, and so forth, in England and Ireland, which may need his attention. The Short-time questen is one which may give him trouble; though a scarcely within the category of subsintial polineat
measures.
A EP.
But any one of these questions, bu coming really troublesome, must provoke his pr per attention; and when once he really attends to a question, he effectively grapples with all that politically embarrassing in it to himself. We are Mr Cobden's testitoy to the Premier's popuk 12, Success 19 80 imposing a cu ty in the North. cumstance, that success even of this Coth E. i will extort the ndauration of the South. ral election would, in almost any form of dandu tion, be a reference on the subject of Peel & the country under circumstances attesting his of ficiency, and coheseing that popularity Shich has grown up so late in his life, but so rapidly the country would respond according to the balonda ble force of circumstances, by returning a mojorny prepared to support Sir Robert Peol.
Many por- haps may depreceto such a result; some migh wish more, some less; but all will acknowledge that the process is peaceful and safe,
There might, indeed, be one way of prevening that issue, by means no less peaceful, soil, as we hold, no less safe: Peel would be superseded if any other competent statesman were prepared to go bé. yond him practically in a truly popular policy. F
statesman were prepared to come forward with such a programme at the next general election. his would be the majority; with a strong chanee et his having much effective aid from the present Mi nister. We perceive no sign of such an event. On the countrery, speculation may descry the chance of a curious fuse banging over the statemen whe the Liberal party still consent to recognize us had-
ers.
Suppose, by concurrent Protectionist aineks and Whig intrigues, Sir Roberi Peel were posted from his place, and that not Lard Stanley were to come in, but the Whigs, or that they were to sue- ceed him after a brief interval. sill ther would be even beyond that future ab alterior fa Unless the nutare of men were remarkably chang- ed the Liberal parly-the popular section of the public and the Representative Climber, destions of progressive improvements in our political and social condition-would be in want of a leader. At present by lint of that tis werline which has su re- markably paralyzed the energy of the party, Bond John Russell is permitted to stand in the place of header. Every experience tends to show that he is naturally unsuited to the posi, fle obtained some credit as the hand of a department in the Colonial Office; but in the broader beid of national politics, increasing years have brought no increasing sac Cesses, De bastafred-he will talks--comminues whites, but of late he has neither originated men sures to carry them, nor grafted on the measures of others substantial improvements Doly acknow- rdging his past serasces, ono casily perceives that he belongs to the post ara when those services were aendered. His liberality is the liberalay of that, not the present, day; his daring is an obsolete sudacity, falling shoot of what is now accounted mere prudence. His broaching the doctrine of fully weg na unconsideral and inconsistent sally; it was merely the first evidence given moder his own band in the Stroud pamphlet-as it was repeated, after seven years' camination, te the Edinburgh Recier, when the Whigs were coming in'” last winter- that his progress stopped with the Reform Bill of 1852; in actual conversion to Free
Compare such a train of all but evitable events with those which would flow from the more proba ble alternative, that the Lords will acquiesce in the Corn BB1; that Parlament will ran out its natural term; anal that the electors will he colled por simply to renew the Representative Cham- ber. No particular question would be thrown forth 10 agitate the country to a pitch of tumult. Unless circumstances greatly alier, no political party would be prepared with an attractive programme of eminently popular measures, Parties woul]] mainly stand on general principles; which are sel dou very exching, and are now neutralized by the utter disruption pad confounding of parties. Rail. way intrigues would have their swing; but would he inable to borrow the bitternesses and violences, the venal Invisboess, in addition to their own, of The Corn Bill is before the House of Land and
polnical discords. Such a state of things, indeed, would be favourable to Sir Robert Peel.
Ile sil the fact that it lies with that body to determine whither or not Parliament shall be dissolved on the represents what is the predominant opinion of the
day. He does so now, us he did in 1841, and will, question of the Chan bws, gives some substanice to
He did the specul- tions touching & general election. We do 1847. He makes a point of doing so. do noi think such a crisis so probable as it may once
not indeed alwage act on that plan the Reform have seemed. The House of Lords will scarcely Bill was a grand exception: he battled stoutly, went of be so indiscreet as to force it on The Protectionist though he saw that it was supported by predo-nothing of his weet of preparation for meeting the
nicolly bare hot achieved so much credit or success
minant opinion. But the success of that measure in the House of Commons as to come before the
was probably his great lesson in political conduct, Peors with overbearing influence; and the Duke of the pivot u which his subsequent career hinges,
· Richmond's exhibition on Monday did met tend to
When he has, on inore recent occasions, seemed to establish a good footing for the Country pary" in disregard predominant opinion, as he did in sanc the ensuing debates. Nor was the display of resistioning Sir James Graham's educational clauses in
ace which was made by the meeting of Peers at the Clarendon on Saturday last adequate to the efforts or exigencies of the party; yet it was bruted with an ostentation that indicates the utmost exertion to collect every recruit that could be mustered; so that their strength is likely to have roached fits maximum to fall off rather than augment. We are disposed to think, therefore, that the Peers will not very readi- ly be misled by the Duke of Richmond, or even by Lord Stanley
But if Lord Stanley were to succeed in commit- ing the Lords to defeat the Ministerial measures, as the Chroniclerighily observca, it does not follow that Parliament would be dissolved by Sir Robert Peel That Minister's recorded majority in the House of Commons has rather increased thon diminished. Every sign shows that the estimation in which he is held by the country, formely high, is higher nowy than ever it was. There is therefore nothing to rebuke the continued favour of the Crown, as there was when the Whigs retained placa although deserted by their majority both in Parliament and at the poll But the Lords and the commous would bem collusion, and the business of the state arrested. To bring the two Houses into harmony,' the Crown might create Peers, as William the Fourth did a resort unkely to be recommended in the present instance or might dissolve Parlament which Kir Robert live Feel would scarcely advise, seeing the majority of was the Commo
him. The only ro
humstances. The country wants more loving abolished the cor-dies to get ; it will insist upon abolishing the diffe. I sugur duties to get mind suga
reventie is of a character to the popular wish for The get revenue
omal
meiningaller lives
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Trade he was years behind his political rival, of
ho was pears be whom he had so large a start. When me cume into office six months ago, he betrayed an utter to control his own party-to say power
by his reluctant show of concurrence, a suspicion that be neither will nor can lead that he te re cretly favouring difficulties-little petty party obs- tructions. He, who ought to be so active an anzilinry, does not scruple to grow that he is only a "spectator” 1—as if the country wanted a mere spectator at the head of its popular statesmen! This determination not to join with others in the service of the country, belokeus un humiliating senes of inferiority : as though the scion of the house of Russell felt that if he were placed with anether it must be under that other.
country he had not performed a single substamial service in Opposition. Even now he shows him- self unequal to the exigencies of the present junc jure: instead of heartily cooperating in a poly which rapidly tends towards those objects at the Whigs profess to hold in their dearest affections, the Factory Bill, he simply makes an error in cal-something restrains him—some incapacity to devise calation Or perhaps. while he seems for a thine to
a plan of action worthy of the occasion-sume in miscalculate, he is but preparing for a future which
vidious, self-seeking annoyance that credit should he foresees, and which will eventually fit his anti.
fall to others Instead of mastering the situation, cipatory movement. That nice adjustment of his
adopting the spirit and forwad energy of the day, political views appears to be brought about by two and becoming a real leader of the Liberal party by qualities of his mind, which are easily to be displacing himself at its head, Lord John provokes, cerned his personal convictions, like those of the people, although quick to be suggested to the in word sense of his mind, and set working in his thoughts, are slow to arrive at the point of full ma turity and of action; and if, as has not seldom been the case, he is personelly in advance of prevalent opinion, his keen sense of what is prudent and practicable under the circumstances holds him back. There is a case in which Sir Robert Peel might advisedly, though col ment. Undoubtedly, even diately, dissolve Parlia even though forced to suffer the ultimate passing of the Com Bill, the Protec- tiouists might continuo a vert årssume and vera- Called, then, to active power the Liberal party, tions opposition to the necessary business of the if they did not consent to renew the defeats of 154! Government. Je it to follow that Diey must wear and 1845-6, would soon discover that they were in out the patience of a Minister distinguished for want of a leader What sight would meet frien fortitude, pertinacity to his own conviction, and glance around? They would see the most active determined sense of duty? Quite the reverze: he statesman of the present day dissolved from pany has still his recorded majority is the Commms; he ties, with a disengaged energy. fle has shown mig!
gh, if he pleased, "lide over the session per himself the natural leader of those who desiza prac hitting the lactique among history opponents to tical progress, because no other statesman of them exhibit their perverty in vexatious obstructions, all has achieved so much practical progress; and helito poesi Var the lesidious among Whig place as hold politics to be something graver Lan i and Then, aker showing that he could game for sport or fuere, will desire to have as their endurance, he heel a man irho can pui professions in the shape natural expiry of of deeda. Would such real Liberals stop with Lord general John Russell, or go beyond him to Peet Assured- y they would go lieyond. If Sir Robert Peel were action superseded by the assertion and pursuit of a mote desire generoca and energetic policy than his own, s political rivals would todeed recover a start of him, and desirve it; but if he be displaced by
such as
ion an
emiere in
ques and hand competition for popularity, his
sumpy result in the finalexbesore
La and in foreing opon big a
than he has ever, yet poss
rec
When by JOHN CARE,
na and Hongkong BOUGH STREET, HONGFORD, 1840.